Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum is a native California vine in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by 3-lobed corolla distinctive, sprawling habit 10-50 cm.
Columbia bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Ranges and Western and Inner North Coast Ranges in wet places within yellow-pine forest at elevations below 3,030 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with sprawling stems 10 to 50 centimeters long, it spreads across the ground in loose, interconnected patterns. Its leaves are arranged in whorls, typically with three to four narrow leaflets per whorl, creating a distinctive, fine-textured appearance along the stem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 69 sympatric species; 3-lobed corolla distinctive, sprawling habit 10-50 cm
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: < 3030 m
California counties: Humboldt, Tulare, Lassen, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Mono, Modoc, El Dorado, Butte, Placer, Fresno, Del Norte, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas, Sonoma, Sierra, Lake, Alpine, Sacramento, Madera, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana, Nevada, Mexico
Bloom period
Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Galium has whorled leaves and tiny flowers; Eriogonum has alternate/basal leaves and dense flower clusters with papery bracts.; vs Sherardia: Galium flowers have stalks and no sepals; Sherardia flowers lack stalks and have six prominent sepals.; vs Baccharis: Galium has whorled leaves and tiny four-petaled flowers; Baccharis has alternate leaves and composite flower heads.; vs Lupinus: Galium has whorled narrow leaves and tiny rotate flowers; Lupinus has palmate compound leaves and pea-like flowers.; vs Euphorbia: Galium has whorled leaves and four-petaled flowers; Euphorbia has alternate leaves and milky sap with specialized flower cups.
Frequently asked questions
Is Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum native to California?
Yes. Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum bloom?
Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum grow?
Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum occurs in Humboldt, Tulare, Lassen, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Mono, Modoc, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of < 3030 m.
What plant family does Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum belong to?
Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum grow in?
Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum grows in Wet places, yellow-pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.